tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post5658580698557405639..comments2024-01-04T15:56:19.156-05:00Comments on Commandments of Men: The Irrational Worship of Tim TebowLewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596138376570543467noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-10756820045503081472011-12-05T17:46:53.665-05:002011-12-05T17:46:53.665-05:00@Paula...The post wasn't so much about Tim Teb...@Paula...The post wasn't so much about Tim Tebow as it was about the irrational attachment to and worship of him by evangelical Christians...simply because he wears his faith on his sleeve. Idolizing him simply because he spouts the buzzwords of someone on "our team" in a cultural war is irrational without knowing <em>exactly</em> what flavor he is.<br /><br />I've been clear that I don't know the extent of his adherence to the whackadoodle elements, but there's more than enough circumstantial evidence (particularly if he was a part of ATI) to make the connection and to suggest that he absolutely isn't mainstream in his belief system. He very much appears to be a Kool-aid drinking product of the movement.<br /><br />I HOPE he isn't.<br /><br />As to my views on Christian homeschooling, you may want to read at these links...<br /><br />http://thecommandmentsofmen.blogspot.com/2011/11/threshold-of-christian-homeschooling.html<br /><br />http://thecommandmentsofmen.blogspot.com/2011/11/dangerous-mix-of-religion-and-education.htmlLewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596138376570543467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-23541818890434021812011-12-05T17:27:04.829-05:002011-12-05T17:27:04.829-05:00Lewis,
I came to your blog because I am deeply co...Lewis,<br /><br />I came to your blog because I am deeply concerned about some of what I'm seeing in the extremes of the homeschool movement. I've read Quivering Daughters and some other stuff about the Patriarchal movement. I don't buy into it. Some of it makes me literally sick at my stomach.<br /><br />That said, this post bothered me. You attacked someone without knowing if they even adhere to the belief systems we both find so offensive . . . I am a homeschooler. I made the choice to give the last 20ish years of my life to raising and loving my children as I believe God called me to do. I don't believe it's the only way to raise children, but I do believe God put it on MY heart. I have have a beautiful, vivacious twenty-year-old who is opinionated as they come and whose father constantly gives her wings to become herself. She works as a cosmetologist in the crazy world of Boulder where she's often the only Christian in the store. Right now she's saving money to get her own place. She wants to stand on her own before she marries. She has a boyfriend SHE chose who smiles at her strong personality and thinks she's adorable. We don't fit the profile of the people you blog about, but you seem to throw us all in the same category in this post. <br /><br />I need to read some more before I get my dander up completely, but it felt like you threw Tebow to the the sharks because he'd been homeschooled without even knowing the whole story. Do you do that with me and my family as well?<br /><br />I felt this was an irresponsible post.Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16106076315144936177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-12012236080991990982011-12-04T17:14:23.480-05:002011-12-04T17:14:23.480-05:00It just doesn't matter. Can he win games?It just doesn't matter. Can he win games?hemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13512725031636357009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-58328639543152223952011-11-22T08:46:12.330-05:002011-11-22T08:46:12.330-05:00It is my understanding that he was in ATI for at l...It is my understanding that he was in ATI for at least one year, maybe several. I know BG mentioned him (when he won some trophy) as having been in ATI.Elizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10018415250035345075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-32242533021197960032011-11-22T08:20:52.167-05:002011-11-22T08:20:52.167-05:00Fundamentalists and Evangelicals seem to have a ne...Fundamentalists and Evangelicals seem to have a need for celebrities to attach Christianity to as if it will validate them. My Evangelical raised college roommate was a sports fan who felt compelled to only root for teams and players who were "Christians". It irritated me then and still does. But when I really saw it was teaching at a Christian school where on nearly a weekly basis there was some rumor around of some random celebrity having recently been "saved" and how wonderful it was going to be "for the kingdom". And most named in their rumors were utterly absurd...Jane Fonda, Gene Simmons, Alice Cooper, Oprah...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-67793825098346142572011-11-21T14:23:02.152-05:002011-11-21T14:23:02.152-05:00As a Christian who has raised two children and hom...As a Christian who has raised two children and home schooled them both for the majority of their education, I now wish that I hadn't! I was deeply into the Fundemantelist teachings and mindset. Anumber of things happened that forced me to confront the error and errors of the whole. I have rejected 90+percent of those teachings and returned to my Congregational roots. My point though is this I will not wear my Christianity on my sleve, my back or any where on my person! I will let my witness and actions speak for my Faith I refuse to wear it on my sleave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-61871982946568957622011-11-21T01:38:25.809-05:002011-11-21T01:38:25.809-05:00Odd...From my perspective, it seems as though Chri...Odd...From my perspective, it seems as though Christians are rather disappointed by Tebow's performance. Or don't care too much because he's not on their team. Oh, well. Reading this reminded me of your earlier discussion about <i>Courageous</i>, although the comparison is probably a bit unfair to Tebow. Whether in business, professional sports, arts, or film, we Christians have been taught to accept mediocrity rather than encourage and praise excellence. Maybe it's the effect of a culture developed around coddling people's self-esteem.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11046641822669890457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-60972417964657783042011-11-20T02:19:43.281-05:002011-11-20T02:19:43.281-05:00100% agree, Kristen. I think that's why the Je...100% agree, Kristen. I think that's why the Jesus jersey bothers me so much. They don't make anyone think about Jesus, but they make everyone think about Tim Tebow.Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596138376570543467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-89586244935617422342011-11-20T02:12:00.972-05:002011-11-20T02:12:00.972-05:00I was in the movement in the 1980s that boasted AC...I was in the movement in the 1980s that boasted AC Green of the LA Lakers as their poster boy. I have a real distaste for superstardom in Christianity. No Christian should be given special status on account of "stardom" of any kind.Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08252374623355509404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-22561231691289632212011-11-20T00:51:19.228-05:002011-11-20T00:51:19.228-05:00I'm not a football fan nor an American, so I d...I'm not a football fan nor an American, so I don't really get the whole football worshipping culture (I also don't really get the fundamentalist culture either. I guess we're too small in Canada to have these types of movements be too widespread.) However, the first thought that came to mind was that Tebow is definitely an eligible bachelor in the fundamentalist world and I'm sure he has a lot of these women in the homeschooling world crushing on him but I would bet money, for all of his talking about faith, that he's not going to go for a make-up free, denim jeans wearing, submissive homeschooler type girl to marry. He'll go for cheerleader-hawt, is my guess. And all the homeschooled girls dreaming of marrying him might have to re-think what these "godly" men are really looking for in a wife. <br /><br />Then again, I could be totally off. I just know from experience that many Christian girls neglect their outward appearance in favour of cultivating their spiritual lives, thinking that will inspire a man to marry them (which is the cherished dream). Not that men are totally shallow, but it does a disservice to these women when they believe that men don't care about outward appearance when choosing a wife. (It seems to be especially bad with the fundamentalist groups. What I wouldn't give to go in there with armed with some makeup and hair products...)<br /><br />I know that this doesn't have anything to do with football, per say, but those are my thoughts :)<br /><br />Thanks Lewis, for all the thought-provoking posts and everyone for the lively discussion.<br /><br />SarahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-64119207188312195282011-11-19T20:39:32.461-05:002011-11-19T20:39:32.461-05:00I'm going to agree about Troy Polamulu. He...I'm going to agree about Troy Polamulu. He's a good'un. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-16307473114365817962011-11-19T15:50:57.132-05:002011-11-19T15:50:57.132-05:00As an Oakland Raiders fan, all I need to hate Tebo...As an Oakland Raiders fan, all I need to hate Tebow is the fact that he plays for the Broncos. :)Steve Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10297044571819912511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-21685525896504922572011-11-19T10:07:50.456-05:002011-11-19T10:07:50.456-05:00Oops, my bad. Poor choice of phrase and I sincerel...Oops, my bad. Poor choice of phrase and I sincerely apologize. Your argument is persuasive, and I do appreciate that you admit you can't be certain about Tebow's degree of immersion. I will be disappointed if we come to find out that he is just going through the mechanisms. I pray he's not. <br /><br />Thanks, Lewis, for the discussion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-26688776275426593842011-11-19T01:57:19.808-05:002011-11-19T01:57:19.808-05:00Anon...The phrase I edited out isn't allowed h...Anon...The phrase I edited out isn't allowed here.<br /><br />http://thecommandmentsofmen.blogspot.com/2011/02/important-public-service-announcement.html<br /><br />It's more than that, Anon. He was homeschooled (most likely with curriculum laced with fundamentalism) and is outspoken about his faith...AND he's a missionary's kid who's done a commercial for Focus on the Family. He's a product of the movement, no doubt. Whether he fully buys in, that's another matter that I can't comment on to any degree of certainty.Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596138376570543467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-44391030299404166152011-11-19T01:48:09.649-05:002011-11-19T01:48:09.649-05:00Lewis, you say Tim is not a winner in the NFL and ...Lewis, you say Tim is not a winner in the NFL and he's played poorly. I'll agree, he has played poorly at times. He needs to be able to hit open receivers. However, in the record books and current standings what shows is that the Broncos are now 5-5. There is no asterisk that says those 5 wins don't count as much because the QB played poorly, you know?<br /><br />I think we can probably go back and forth over this and neither of us change our view. I will say this: As to the Jesus jerseys. We don't know that Tim has not expressed his dismay over them. The media probably wouldn't report it; there's more sensationalism in the jerseys. And today, John Fox recanted some of the things he said about Tim earlier in the week. <br /><br />As to wondering if he really knows what integrity is; all I can say is that I have met and talked with the young man. At almost 60 years of age and with a good bit of life experience under my belt I would like to think I am a fairly good judge of character. In my opinion, Tebow is the real deal.And I think there's room in the world for both his exuberant faith and Coach Smith's more quiet faith. It's kind of like church music; there are different styles and it's ok to prefer one over another as long as the words are doctrinally sound and bring honor to God there's room for different styles. <br /><br />I did not home school my children, and I am not a fundamentalist, but I do think you are treading close to... ...when you begin to assume that because someone was home schooled and is outspoken about their faith that they are a "product of the movement". How about we give Tebow the benefit of the doubt for a little while? He's young. Maybe he'll prove you right, but maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-72920931787386932542011-11-19T00:20:44.872-05:002011-11-19T00:20:44.872-05:00@Anonymous 10:47...He hasn't in the NFL, thoug...@Anonymous 10:47...He hasn't in the NFL, though. The sample size of a few games isn't really enough to establish him as a winner. In fact, every statement his coach makes suggests that the Broncos have won <em>in spite of</em> Tebow rather than because of him. His actual play has been pretty poor.<br /><br />If he's a product of the movement, and buys in to all it sells, does he even know what integrity <em>really</em> is? Or is he just going through the mechanisms? Not sure he demonstrates a lot of humility, either, being he's kinda "in your face" with his faith.<br /><br />I'm a bigger fan of athletes/coaches who don't wear their faith on their sleeve. Dean Smith (UNC basketball coach from 1961 to 1997) was and is a man of strong faith, and did more to benefit his fellow man than just about any individual I know of, but you'd never hear about any of that from him. He'd probably get sick over someone printing a T-shirt representative of him with Jesus' name in place of his own.Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596138376570543467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-60455221409802942362011-11-18T22:47:13.249-05:002011-11-18T22:47:13.249-05:00Bottom line on Tebow, as far as I am concerned, he...Bottom line on Tebow, as far as I am concerned, he WINS!<br /><br />And that he does so with faith, and integrity and humility is icing on the cake.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-81555797572814258802011-11-18T19:26:57.211-05:002011-11-18T19:26:57.211-05:00I like Troy Polamalu's approach a lot better.
...I like Troy Polamalu's approach a lot better.<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/13/sports/football/13polamalu.html?_r=1&hpwSteve Allenhttp://ps27-4.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-80284004508430809882011-11-18T18:21:21.911-05:002011-11-18T18:21:21.911-05:00@Amy...He's definitely a product of Christian ...@Amy...He's definitely a product of Christian homeschooling, but I couldn't say with any certainty how deeply involved or connected to the whackadoodles he is. He did that commercial for Focus on the Family a couple of years ago, so he's flirting with the fringe sociopolitical crowd, but I'm not sure if he's Vision Forum crazy.<br /><br />Part of me is curious as to if the Broncos put any kind of clauses in his contract related to his religion, as in having a say in which organizations or causes he's allowed to publically endorse.Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596138376570543467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-54631741293825307882011-11-18T16:44:56.382-05:002011-11-18T16:44:56.382-05:00He's a crappy QB. I think he was adequate at F...He's a crappy QB. I think he was adequate at Florida but the NFL is the big boys and he's certainly not one of them. <br /><br /><br />NB: I am a Packer fan born and bred and I think Aaron Rodgers exemplifies how a QB should be.amulbunny's random thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10621932038345682056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-56496847349392486752011-11-18T16:35:35.247-05:002011-11-18T16:35:35.247-05:00It figures. In a country where the Christians wors...It figures. In a country where the Christians worship the football more than they worship God, this seems pretty normal to me. Wrong, but normal.Katy-Anne Binsteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15528465833214550644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-92163754827308394692011-11-18T15:53:43.451-05:002011-11-18T15:53:43.451-05:00I thought it was so interesting when they bought T...I thought it was so interesting when they bought Tebow. my immediate thought was that our state's Christian homeschool group was gonna try to recruit him to speak at one of their conferences. I would not be surprised in the least if that pans out. but I seriously considered writing him a letter or something and being like, "Listen. If this group contacts you, DO NOT GET INVOLVED. You have no idea what it's really like and what their agenda is."<br />but, you think he is one of them? I mean, I don't know. I haven't paid much attention.<br />it has been annoying to hear those who have jumped on the bandwagon and become fiercely loyal simply because he's a Christian.<br />having said that, as someone who doesn't know a whole lot about football and just watches casually now and then, I don't think playing Tebow is such a bad idea. unconventional, probably, but it's fun to watch. and isn't he like 4-1 since starting? plus, look at his face. haha =)<br /><br />anyway, it still gets me how prevalent this whole cultic homeschool thing is.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10942187922246383744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879552692521649812.post-52502382216029308912011-11-18T15:42:02.779-05:002011-11-18T15:42:02.779-05:00Whiner. You're just a Jets fan with an axe to...Whiner. You're just a Jets fan with an axe to grind! Mwahahahahaha!!!<br /><br />The Vikings are used to crappy QB's.Incongruous Circumspectionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16232186225573312896noreply@blogger.com